Public invited to 'Walk for Shelter'

Members of last year's walk team from St. Philip's Episcopal Church line up behind a banner.

The second annual Good Friday Walk for Shelter starts at noon, March 29. According to event coordinator Jim McIntosh, the route for the five-mile walk begins at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 1370 Shaw Road and finishes at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church at 302 Gen. Stewart Way.McIntosh said the public is invited to participate in the walk. Those interested in sponsoring someone or registering themselves for the walk should call 332-7659 or 492-9690 or email jim@gfwliberty.org. Although there is no registration fee, he said organizers do ask unsponsored participants for a small donation. All funds raised for the walk will go to the Liberty County Homeless Coalition’s food and shelter programs, he said.“I don’t have any say in where the funds go, and I prefer it that way,” McIntosh said. “Last year, I believe we raised about $11,000. I believe most of that money went to the Manna House, the Kirk Healing Center and Hinesville’s Homeless Prevention Program.”He said the walk gets a lot of support from those organizations, but most of their support comes from the public, usually churches and civic groups. He added the number of participants already registered has already equaled the number who participated last year.“We already have about 250 registered, which is about what we had participating last year, and we still have a week left for more people to register,” he said. “Right now, we have 25 teams signed up for the walk. Most of those participating are new to the walk.”McIntosh said the team sizes vary. Some teams have only two or three members while at least one team has 50 members. As with last year, there is no rescheduling the walk due to rain because the permit they have is only good for that day. Besides, he said, it wouldn’t be a Good Friday walk if it took place on any other day.Registration will continue until March 29, but those who still want to participate can register on the day of the walk, beginning at 10:45 a.m. There will be a “prayer pep rally” conducted by local ministers prior to the noon start, McIntosh said. Ssponsors and donors can make their checks payable to the Liberty County Homeless Coalition, 115 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313.